STUDENT Matthew Wood made sure it was a bonfire night to remember by proposing to his girlfriend - 60 metres up at the top of Manchester's new big wheel.

Matthew, aged 18, popped the question to Donna Cox, of Bamford, in the VIP gondola on the giant wheel in Exchange Square after hatching a secret plan with a little help from his mother, Angela.

Relatives, including the bride-to-be's parents, Tina and Andy, knew what was going on, but Donna was in the dark until the wheel started moving and Matthew dropped down on one knee and produced an engagement ring.

The 18-year-old nursery nurse burst into tears and accepted immediately. Matthew then cracked open a bottle of champagne in the private gondola, which was specially designed for French president Jacques Chirac when the wheel was in Paris.

Matthew, of Rhodes Street, Smallbridge, said: "I'd been thinking about asking Donna to marry me for a while. When I heard about the wheel, I thought it was a perfect idea, because of the view and because it is something a bit different.

"I was really nervous beforehand, but we had spoken a bit about getting married one day, so I just decided to ask and went out and bought the ring.

"My mum, Angela, was fantastic helping me to arrange it all. Now I feel really happy, we love each other.

"That might sound soppy, but when I looked in her eyes I knew it was the right thing and I know I will never meet anyone better than her."

The couple met at a party seven months ago.

Donna, a nursery nurse at Shutters Nursery in Phoenix Street, said she was overwhelmed by the surprise.

"I can hardly believe it," she said. "I feel really excited, but shocked as well - and really happy."

The couple plan to get married once Matthew has finished his HNC course in business and technology at Hopwood Hall College.